Display package



y 1969 E.- E. DESHONG ETQAL 3,442,371

DISPLAY PACKAGE Sheet of 2 Filed July 5, 1968 o m I I: 1:: I it INVENTORS RICHARD C. J. PALSON BY ELZIE E. DESHONG d 7 ATTORNEYS FIG. 3

y 1969 E. E. DESHONG ETAL 3,442,371

DISPLAY PACKAGE Filed July 5, 1968 Sheet 3 of 2 INVENTORS RICHARD C.J. PALSON EL IE E. DESHONG BY f ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 206--45.23 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display package formed by laminating two layers of plastic material, the first layer being a relatively stiff plastic, and the second layer being a relatively flexible plastic that is adhered to the first material in laminated relation by heat sealing, a portion of the relatively stiff plastic layer being pershaped to form an article holding portion and having an extension joined thereto in integral relation to define a cover, the cover being foldable in enveloping relation around the article holding portion and the flexible plastic layer having a decorative surface and defining the outer surface of the package.

Background of the invention The present invention has particular application in the display and packaging of small inexpensive ornamental articles, such as articles of costume jewelry that have been displayed in preformed cardboard boxes, or on display racks having a card or panel for accommodating the articles, or on a card or the like that is mountable on a display rack for convenient display of the articles. Prior to the instant invention, when the article was purchased by a customer, it was normally removed from the display rack or panel and then inserted in a conventional style preformed box that was retained in a storage area, such as under the counter. These preformed cardboard boxes that have been employed heretofore in the display and packaging of small ornamental articles, such as costume jewelry, were not only relatively expensive but were not usually used in a counter-type display because removal of the top was necessary, which increased handling problems or resulted in the tops being misplaced. Furthermore, since the prior known cardboard boxes used for the packaging of ornamental articles had to be stored in a convenient location near the counter, additional space re quirements were necessary and handling of the goods during the sale of an article increased the possibilities of breakage and further added to the time devoted to the sale.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a display package that is formed by a single piece of relatively rigid plastic material that defines the inside of the package and that is shaped to define an article holding portion; and a single piece of relatively flexible plastic material that is heat sealed to the inside piece of plastic material in laminated relation with re spect thereto, the relatively flexible piece of plastic material being formed with a decorative outer surface and thereby defining the outer surface of the package. The inner and outer pieces of plastic material extend beyond the article holding portion as formed on the inside piece and thus define a cover that is foldable relative to the article holding portion. When the package is to be located in the display position, for display of an article in the article holding portion, the cover is folded beneath the article holding portion. The package containing the article therein is thus mounted on a display rack and preferably in a pocket of the rack, the cover being concealed beneath the article holding portion in this position. When a sale of the article is made and it is required to remove the article from the rack, the package is lifted therefrom and the folded cover is then wrapped in enveloping relation around the article holding portion and the package with the article therein is presented to the customer. Thus, it is seen that the article may remain in the article holding portion of the package at all times and without removal therefrom even after sale of the article to the customer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a display package that can be mounted on a display rack with the package cover concealed, the cover for the package being folded to a closed position to provide a decorative package upon removal of the package from the rack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display package that is formed by laminating an inner piece of relatively stiff plastic material to an outer piece of relatively flexible plastic material, the outer piece of material being decoratively formed on the outer surface thereof and defining the outer surface of the package.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display package in which an article holding portion is molded in a unitary construction with an extension therefrom and is laminated to an outer piece of plastic material, the two pieces of plastic material defining the essential components of the complete package.

Still another object is to teach a method of forming a display package, wherein a relatively stiff piece of plastic material is laminated to a relatively flexible piece of material to for m the complete display package.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Description of the drawings In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of package embodied in the present invention and showing the package in the open position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a display rack having a plurality of open pockets formed therein and showing the position of the display packages of the present invention as mounted in the open pockets;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the laminated plastic sections that define the package of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cover of the package folded beneath the article holding portion to locate the package in that position in which it is mounted in a pocket of a display rack as illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the package when the cover has been folded to the closed position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the package embodied in the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of the package.

Description of the invention Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred form of the package is illustrated therein and is generally illustrated at 10. The display package 10 has particular application in the display of small articles, such as articles of jewelry, although it is understood that the concept of the invention as embodied herein is not limited to the display of articles of jewelry but can be employed in the packaging of various types of articles, depending upon the size of the package and the article received therein.

Basically, the package comprises two pieces of plastic material that are laminated together to form a cover portion 12 and an article holding portion or receptacle 16. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, a first piece of plastic material is laminated to a second piece of plastic material 14, the first piece of plastic material defining the inside of the package and being formed of a relatively rigid plastic material that is molded in any suitable manner to form the article holding portion 16 and an extension 18 that defines the inside of the cover portion 12. The article holding portion 16 as molded is defined by opposedouter parallel walls 20, 22 and 24, 26. Joined to the parallel walls 20, 22 and 24, 26 are upper inner walls 20a, 22a and 24a, 26a that are joined to an intermediate shelf portion 28. Joined to the shelf portion and stepped inwardly from the upper inner walls, are lower inner walls 20b, 22b and 24b, 26b and it is seen that since the upper and lower inner walls are spaced from the outer walls of the receptacle 16, the article located within the article receptacle 16 is somewhat insulated and protected therein. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, a bottom wall 30 is joined to the lower inner walls 20b, 22b and 24b, 26b in integral relation therewith and defines the bottom of the receptacle or article holding portion 16.

It is seen that the extension 18 of the cover portion 12 projects outwardly of the outer wall 26 of the article holding portion 16 sufiiciently to envelop the article holding portion when folded thereover. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flap 32 is integrally joined to the outer wall 24 of the article holding portion 16 and includes an inner portion that is molded as a part of the relatively stiff piece of inner plastic material. The flap 32 cooperates with the cover portion 12 as will be described to locate the cover portion in the closed position thereof.

As set forth hereinabove, the inner piece of plastic material was described as being formed of a relatively stifi material and as molded forms the receptacle or article holding portion 16 into which an article for display is placed. In order to form a decorative outer surface for the relatively stiff inner piece of plastic material, the outer sheet 14 of relatively flexible plastic material is provided and is adhered directly to the inner piece by heat sealing thereto and thus the inner and outer plastic pieces form an integral one-piece construction. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer piece of plastic material that is defined by sheet 14 is placed in surface-to-surface contact with the portion of the inner piece that defines the flap 32, the bottom wall 30 of the article holding portion 16 and the extension 18 of the cover portion. When the inner and outer pieces of plastic material are adhered in laminated relation, they are heat sealed along the marginal edges thereof and at spaced intervals across the cover 12 as indicated at 34, 36 and 38. A heat-seal line is also formed adjacent to the outer walls 26 and 24 of the article holding portion 16, as indicated at 40 and 42. The heat sealing areas, as indicated at 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42, define hinge joints that provide for folding of the cover 18 and the flap 32 so that the cover may be moved to the-closed position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 6. The hinge joints also enable the cover 12 and the flap 32 to be folded beneath the bottom wall of the article holding portion 16 when the display package 10 is mounted in a pocket of a display rack, as will be described.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer end of the cover 12, that is, the free end thereof, has the corners thereof cut as indicated at 44, thus forming a tapered free end as indicated at 46. The tapered end 46 is receivable in a pocket that is defined by a strap 48 that is sealed at the side edge to the underside of the flap 32. It is seen that the strap 48 is spaced sufficiently from the flap 32 which includes plastic sheet 14 adhered thereto, to form a slit that receives the reduced end 46 of the cover 18 therein.

It is contemplated that the display package 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be used in conjunction with a display rack, an example of which is generally indicated at 50 in FIG. 3. The display rack 50 is formed with a plurality of open pockets, each of which is of a size and shape for receiving a display package 10 when it is located in the folded position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, the display rack is provided with a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending walls indicated at 52 and 54 that intersect at right angles to each other to form the appropriate open pockets. When it is desired to insert one of the packages 10 into a pocket in the display rack 50, the cover 12 is folded along the hinge joints to a position beneath the article holding portion 16 and, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is folded over the flap 32 that has also been folded along its hinge joint 42 beneath the bottom wall of the article holding portion. With the flap 32 and the cover 12 of a package 10 located in the folded postion, the display package is inserted into a pocket in the display 50 so that the folded cover and flap are concealed therein. An article as mounted in the article holding portion 16 will then be located in a display position for examination and display thereof. When the article within the article holding portion is sold, the clerk removes the complete package 10 from the display rack and unfolds the cover 12 and the flap 32 from the concealed position, and then refolds the cover 12 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the cover envelops the article holding portion 16 for enclosing the article therein. It is understood that the free end 46 of the cover 12 is received within the slit as defined by the strap 48 and the flap 32.

It is contemplated that the means for retaining the cover of the package in the closed position thereof may be varied, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the package is formed substantially identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, with the exception of the formation of the flap 32 thereon. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the flap 32 is eliminated, and a rear strap 56 is provided and is joined to the underside of the bottom wall 30 of the article holding portion 16. The cover, is adapted to be retained in the closed position by inserting the free end 46 beneath the strap 56, thereby locking the cover in enveloping relation around the article holding portion 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, a somewhat modified form of the holding means is illustrated; and, as shown, the free end of the cover is formed with a tab portion 58. The piece of plastic material 14 that is adhered to the relatively stiff molded material has a slit 60 formed therein in the area beneath the bottom wall 30 of the article holding portion. The tab 58 is receivable in the slit 60 when the cover is folded around the article holding portion 16 and the cover 12 is thereby located in the closed position thereof.

It is apparent that the constructional features of the packages as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 vare substantially identical to that described hereinabove, and include the two-piece construction wherein the display box components are formed by adhering the inner and outer pieces of plastic material in laminated relation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a display package, a receptacle having an open top defined by opposed, parallel walls and a bottom wall joined to said walls and forming a unitary construction therewith, a cover integrally joined to said receptacle and extending outwardly therefrom in cotiguous relation with respect thereto and terminating in a free end, said cover having hinge joints formed therein that enables said cover to be folded over the open top of said receptacle in enveloping relation when said package is located in the closed position thereof, and further enables said cover to be folded beneath said bottom wall so as to be concealed therebehind when said package is located in a display position.

2. In a display package as set forth in claim 1, the walls of said receptacle being formed of relatively stiff plastic material, that also defines the inner surface of the cover a relatively flexible sheet of decorative plastic material adhered to the bottom wall of said receptacle and to the stiff plastic material of said cover in laminated relation, thereby defining the outer surface of said package.

3. In a display package as set forth in claim 2, means joined to said bottom wall for receiving the free end of said cover, wherein said cover is secured around said receptacle in the closed position thereof.

4. In a display package as set forth in claim 3, said receiving means including a flap joined to said bottom wall as an extension thereof on the side opposite to said cover, said flap being formed of said relatively stiff plastic material and the relatively flexible plastic material adhered thereto, and means formed on said flap for engagement with the folded cover for securing the cover in folded position thereof.

5. In a display package as set forth in claim 4, the securing means on said flap including a slit into which the free end of said cover is inserted for locking said cover around said receptacle.

6. In a display package as set forth in claim 3, the receiving means on said bottom wall including a pocket into which the free end of said cover is inserted for securing said cover around said receptacle.

7. In a display package as set forth in claim 1, a display rack having a plurality of open pockets formed therein, said package being receivable in one of said open pockets for display of an article therein, wherein said cover is folded beneath the bottom wall of said receptacle and is concealed therebehind.

8. In a display package, a first relatively stiff layer of plastic material forming the inner surface of said package and being shaped to define an article holding portion and to further define an extension integrally joined to said article holding portion thereby forming a one-piece construction therewith, a second layer of relatively flexible plastic material adhered to said first layer in laminated relation to form a decorative outer surface for said package and cooperating with said extension to form a cover for said article holding portion.

9. In a method of forming a display package comprising the steps of forming a first relatively stiff layer of plastic material in a manner to define an article holding portion and an extension thereto, laminating a second layer of relatively flexible layer of plastic material to said first layer to'form an outer surface therefor, and forming hinge joints in said extension and the second layer of material laminated thereto so as to provide for folding of said extension in enveloping relation around said article holding portion.

10. In a method of forming a display package as set forth in claim 9, comprising the further step of securing said layers of plastic material in laminated relation by the application of heat thereto along the marginal areas and simultaneously forming the hinge joints in the laminated layers by the application of heat thereto.

11. In a display package, a first relatively stifl layer of plastic material that forms the inner surface of said package, said stiff layer of plastic material being shaped in a one-piece construction to include opposed parallel walls and a bottom wall that define an article-holding portion, and a second layer of relatively flexible plastic material adhered to said first layer in laminated relation to form a decorative outer surface for said package, said second layer of flexible plastic material projecting outwardly beyond the confines of said article holding portion of said first layer to define a foldable extension that forms a cover for said article holding portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,327,301 8/1943 Davis 206 45.23

JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington, D.C. 20231 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,442,371 May 6, 1969 Elzie E. Deshong et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification, line 3, "N. J." should read R. I.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

